Golden Heart Moment
5th April, 2010 - Posted by KristinW - 21 Comments
On March 25th my life changed when I found out I was a Golden Heart finalist in the Inspirational category…
Ok, not really. I still have to work. I still have to finish the next book. And no one has called me up begging to publish the book that finaled…So, actually nothing has changed.
I really debated whether to enter the GH again this year. I’d already entered the same two manuscripts the last 2 years. They both got very good scores. For anyone who doesn’t know how the GH works, each entry is scored by 6 judges. You get a number score, 1.1 – 9 with 9 being the highest. No comments like in other contests, just a number. As anyone knows, if you ask nine people their opinion you’re probably going to get 9 different opinions especially when it comes to something subjective like whether or not a book is good. The last 2 years both my entries scores in the high 7’s to 9 range…except there was always ONE JUDGE that scored them low, thus knocking my out. That’s all it takes is one.
But I still loved the books so I just went ahead and sent them in. I knew the books were good. I’d had enought people not related to me tell me they were good, so I hoped I’d get lucky and line up the right judges. The funny thing about the GH is that I “always” forget what day the finalist notifications are supposed to go out. Usually I’m only reminded because I see a message about it on one of the yahoo loops. Then I get to spend the day waiting for a call. Lots of fun. This year, I completely forgot, I even forgot after seeing reminders on the loops. And I was sure the calls were supposed to go out the next day so I wasn’t thinking about it at all. Then around noon I checked my e-mail and saw a message that just had “RWA” in the subject line.
RWA? I thought. Why is RWA sending me an e-mail? What could they want? I know I renewed. So I open the e-mail and it says ‘Hey, I’m so-and-so with RWA. Can you please send me an e-mail or call me ASAP?’ Nothing specific. I’m thinking…what is this? Who is this person and why does she want me to call? Then I looked at the date on the calendar and it started to dawn on me that what the message could actually mean. My heart started pounding. I replied to the e-mail, and then decided that would take too long. So I called her back, trying not to get my hopes up. It could’ve been something stupid after all. (This is just how my mind works.) So the lady answers and she says “You’re a finalist in the Golden Heart.”
So now though nothing has really changed, (I don’t think this will automatically lead to a sale) at least I get to put “2010 Golden Heart Finalist” in my signature line. It’s pretty sweet actually.
Kristin Wallace
2010 Golden Heart Finalist, Inspirational
Posted on: April 5, 2010
Filed under: Miscellaneous
21 Comments
Linda Conrad
April 5th, 2010 at 6:43 am
Very ‘Inspirational’ blog, Kristin! Congrats again. This is not the beginning of the journey for you, but it can’t hurt. Right?
Traci
April 5th, 2010 at 6:43 am
2010 will be the year Kristin Wallace makes her first sale – WOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO – congrats on the GH. you are a great freaking writer!!
pearl wolf
April 5th, 2010 at 7:43 am
Congratulations, Kristin. Enjoy the journey. Here’s wishing you good luck in reaching your destination!
Allison Chase
April 5th, 2010 at 8:08 am
Something HAS changed. You’re right, a Golden Heart doesn’t mean an automatic sale but it’s a big step closer and if you go to National you’ll find yourself moving in the glow of a very special spotlight. Enjoy every moment of it and believe in yourself! All of us at FRW do!
Marianne Evans
April 5th, 2010 at 8:30 am
What a thrill, Kristin! I’m so excited for you and will be cheering for you from the crowd!!!! Congratulations again, and all my best wishes for AWESOME blessings!!
Lizbeth Selvig
April 5th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Hey Kristin,
From one of your fellow 2010ers (and first time finalist)congratulations! I loved your blog. Isn’t it fun how we all had such different experiences? I loved that you forgot–what an awesome surprise. And how inspirational it is that a good manuscript might have lots of reasons for not finaling-mostly having to do with luck-but it ALWAYS has a chance of doing well. I’m so happy this is your year. Agents and publishers aren’t beating a path to my door yet either–but let’s just say that’s going to happen SOON! Can’t wait to meet you in Nashville.
Keli Gwyn
April 5th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Congratulations, Kristin! I hope you enjoy the thrill of being a GH finalist. I look forward to meeting you in person at Nationals.
Keely Thrall
April 5th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Kristin – it IS sweet! I admire how you demonstrate that old adage, try-try again. I think it’s speaks to longevity in this crazy field we’ve chosen to join. Congratulations on the GH final – looking forward to meeting you in person in Nashville!
Keely Thrall
2010 Golden Heart Finalist
“Honor Bound”
Paranormal category
Heather Snow
April 5th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Kristen,
Congrats! As another first time finalist, I completely understand. I only wish I could have forgotten about the call day, though! It was terribly nerve-wracking.
Look forward to meeting you in Nashville. Keep up the fabulous writing.
Angi Morgan
April 5th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Thanks for sharing your story Kristin. Way to persevere! Best of luck with your entry. I hope this is the last year you can enter the GH due to a sale!
~~Angi
wendy toliver
April 5th, 2010 at 10:18 am
So Exciting, Kristin! I can’t wait to cheer you on in person.
cynthia thomason
April 5th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Loved reading your GH story, Kristin. Many congrats to you. The GH is truly a giant stepping stone, and I hope it leads all the way to New York for you. Nice to see other GH finalists comment on this blog. Congratulations to all of you.
Kathleen Pickering
April 5th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
This sounds awfully good to me, Kristin! Everyone gets their time . . . this could be yours!! YAY! And, congratulations!
Mary Ricksen
April 5th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
You just wait, your time is near. I feel it!! Congratulations, I know how hard it was to final in that contest, I entered once. I have one person gave me bottom numbers and most were average and one really high, but to final.Wow, girl!
Missy Tippens
April 5th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Yay, Kristin!! I’m thrilled for you!!
Nancy Cohen
April 6th, 2010 at 1:44 am
Congrats, Kristin. It’s a wonderful feeling to get a call like that. Being a finalist means your work is validated. Someone else other than your critique partners judge your story to have merit. At least it feels that way. Enjoy the inner glow. Hopefully it’s just the start of an upward rise to fame!
Debbie
April 6th, 2010 at 3:43 am
Congrats again!
What is great is that you can always say you’re a “Golden Heart Finalist” on every book cover (and maybe yippee “a winner”).
What’s also great is that this gives you the motivation (affirmation) to get on to writing that next project you’ve been talking about.
Great job! Enjoy it,
Kristin W.
April 6th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Thank you for the comments and well-wishes ladies. Because I do know how hard it is to get those 6 judges to agree, it does make it sweeter. As Angie said above, I hope I never final in the GH again…because I’m no longer eligible. lol.
Belinda Peterson
April 6th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Kristin,
Congrats!! Can’t wait to see you in Nashville and cheer you on.
Vonnie
April 6th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Great Post, Kristin. I’m sooo happy for you!!
Kaily Hart
April 7th, 2010 at 6:01 am
Kristin,
Huge congratulations! Good luck on ensuring you’re ineligible next year!! Everyone who enters dreams of being a finalist and getting their ms in front of someone who’ll buy it. Intellectually, I think we all know it doesn’t somehow magically happen, but it’s just an amazing accolade. Enjoy it. I’ll be in Nashville to cheer you on!
Kaily/Kathy
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